Western Trust supports World Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day

THE Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) Speech and Language Therapy Team supported this year’s World Development Language Disorder Awareness Day, October 17.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a condition that makes it hard for children and young people to learn, understand and use spoken language.

These challenges are not due to hearing problems, intellectual difficulties or autism, and they can continue into adulthood.

Around one in 14 are affected, meaning that in a typical classroom there are likely to be at least two students with DLD.

Although it is more common than autism, it often goes unrecognised and misdiagnosed.

DLD can affect many areas of life. Children may find it hard to learn new words, follow instructions, tell stories and keep up with conversations.

Over time, difficulties can impact reading, writing, friendships and confidence.

But the good news is that with the right teaching strategies and speech and language therapy, children with DLD can thrive!

Friday, October 17, has been dedicated as Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day.

Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) is an international organisation helping to increase awareness of this hidden, but common condition.

This year’s campaign is ‘You Can’t see DLD’, and families, teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals are joining to make DLD visible to the world, because no one should feel invisible.

The Speech and Language Therapy Team in the Western Trust has joined the campaign to raise awareness of DLD so as many people in the Trust become aware of and understand this condition.

There have been DLD stands and displays in many Trust venues, coffee mornings, and local schools have got involved in celebrating and raising awareness of DLD.

The council buildings in Derry and the ‘Tinnies’ in Strabane lit up purple to help raise awareness of DLD also.

Christine Harper, Western Trust Clinical Lead, Speech and Language Team for DLD, explains: “The Speech and Language Therapy Department are delighted to support DLD Awareness Day to help raise awareness of this hidden disability.

"DLD results in a child or adult having difficulties talking and/or understanding language.

"This is a lifelong condition that affects approximately two children in every classroom of 30, affecting literacy, learning, friendships and emotional wellbeing.

"It is important to raise awareness of DLD to ensure that those affected can receive the support from professionals including speech and language therapists and teachers, which can make a real difference to their lives.

"Speech and language therapists have a crucial role to play in the diagnosis of DLD and in supporting people with DLD, along with their families and the professionals working with them, to understand their diagnosis, achieve their potential and reduce the impact of their difficulties.”

Visit the RADLD social media channels and share #ThinkLanguage #ThinkDLD awareness video.

Visit www.RADLD.org for more information, or contact your Speech and Language Therapy Department in your local health centre.